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Christopher Swope

Christopher Swope

Former Editor

Christopher Swope, a former Governing editor, writes about city innovation and leadership.

A woman seen in profile with her hair tied back and wearing glasses. She has one hand on her chin and is looking slightly upwards with a thoughtful expression. Overlayed over her are digital symbols like circle graphs and calendars in blue. White background.
Magazine
Women Are Making Strides in State and Local Government (Part 2)
We profiled eight women leading the way in state and local government.
Special Issue 2025
 · Christopher Swope
GOV KPMG Special Issue_Getting it done1
Magazine
Women Are Making Strides in State and Local Government (Part 1)
We profiled eight women leading the way in state and local government.
Special Issue 2025
 · Christopher Swope
GOV Winter 2025_Ur
Policy
How One City Cut Its Poverty Rate By More Than a Third
Over the past decade, Richmond, Va., has managed to cut its poverty rate by 36 percent. Many things broke right for the city, but a pair of mayors stuck with a longterm plan to make it happen.
Winter 2025
 · Christopher Swope
Children playing with toys
Magazine
Given the Child Care Crisis, More Mayors Knit Together Early Childhood Services
Child care involves a mix of public, private and nonprofit providers. Mayors are trying to make systems easier for parents to navigate and afford.
Fall 2024
 · Christopher Swope
Woman police officer dances at a neighborhood gathering with two young girls
Magazine
A Nationwide Effort to Put More Women on the Force
Women make up only 12 percent of police officers nationwide. One initiative aims to triple that.
OPINION | Summer 2024
 · Christopher Swope
Kirk Watson tours construction of McKalla Station in Austin
Management and Administration
Austin's Mayor Oversees a Completely Changed City
In the 30 years since Kirk Watson's previous stint as mayor, Austin has gained 400,000 more residents. Watson's changed, too.
Spring 2024
 · Christopher Swope
LusakaZambia1
Archive
How Zambian Cities Are Like American Suburbs
While the two regions’ poverty problems are difficult to compare, both places have ignored the needs of their struggling populations -- until now.
April 21, 2014
 · Christopher Swope
Archive
After the Mall
It isn't easy, but some suburbs are converting aging shopping centers and their acres of asphalt into vibrant, mixed-use town centers.
October 2002
 · Christopher Swope
Archive
Death of the Megaproject?
Now that NYC's West Side stadium is dead, the NY Times today asks a good question: is it possible to build big stuff anymore? Surely ...
May 07, 2010
 · Christopher Swope
Archive
An Ark Full of Newarks
What does Newark, NJ (pop. 245,000) have in common with Newark, Missouri (pop. 100)? Nothing more than the name, of course. Apparently, that's enough for the mayor ...
May 07, 2010
 · Christopher Swope
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